If you're like me and can't sit still with just one or two genres, perhaps you'll find some ideas in this list. I kept the variety with genres, but also by including all worthy bands from unknown newcomers all the way up to big names. Basically, everything I liked this year.

Since there are so many genres here, don't get too worked up about specific rating and placement. They're generally in order, but more importantly they're all amazing.

Just a humble list of albums released this year that I found really enjoyable. There is no real order in here, as it's too hard for me to decided which album deserve, e.g., a 1st place and which - a 13th. So... Just listen to all these good pieces of music and enjoy!

This is a list of the top songs over 10 minutes long in my humble opinion. I had to resist the urge not to put every single Symphony X, Opeth and Agalloch song over 10 minutes long on the list so some of equally high quality are left off to increase diversity. Songs are sorted by approximate preference with #1 inspiring the list. I love long songs so if you know a good one please send me a message and I'll give it a listen. **Last Update 09/03/2011**

My favorite element about music is probably atmosphere. My mind is a lazy, albeit adventurous, asshole that likes to take vacations whenever it can. And what better than the surprise mental adventures that music takes you on? SHUT UP. SHUT UP. Nothing is better. Whether I'm whisked away on the wings of a dragon, sitting around a campfire with a group of vikings just before battle, wandering around a haunted castle, or floating around FUCKING SPACE, I love these adventures. Yes. Yes, I do. And here are my favorite albums that have incredible atmosphere for me to get lost in. (No particular order)

List of the albums that surprised me this year (2011). Some of the albums were even more unexpected because it was my first contact with the bands. Others were confirmations.
Oh, how I like good surprises... (ongoing list)